10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Bedside Manner

4. Be Observant

Keeping an eye on the patient’s body language will allow you to get the most out of every conversation and consultation. You can’t help someone if you’re not paying attention to them.

Be aware of how the patient is presenting themselves. If they are speaking very quietly, looking at the floor or fiddling with their phone or bag, they are likely to be asking you about a topic they find hard to talk about.

By physically matching the patient’s body language, by speaking quietly or bobbing down to their level, you can make them feel happier with the situation and slowly boost their confidence. For example, if someone is speaking very quickly because they are nervous you too can speak quickly and gradually slow down your voice to help them calm down. The same goes for someone speaking very loudly, or someone not wanting to come too close.